Trailer Weight Distribution Hitch System Storage Device

ABSTRACT

A vehicle mounted storage device for the ball mount and spring/torsion bar component of a trailer weight distribution system when the equipment is not in use. The storage device is comprised of a horizontal channel where the spring bars can be inserted, a vertical channel, where the ball mount can be inserted, and a horizontal tongue separating the two channels. When the spring bars are inserted into the horizontal channel with the heads of the spring bars resting on the tongue area and the ball mount is inserted into the vertical channel with the hitch ball directly above the spring bar heads, the spring bars are securely confined to the device. Once a locking device has been affixed to the ball mount, the device deters theft of the spring bars and ball mount.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application clams priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/664,916,filed on Mar. 23, 215, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference

BACKGROUND

When a trailer is connected to a vehicle, there is an inevitableaddition of weight to the rear of the vehicle. The added weight canalter the handling of the vehicle due to the imbalance of weight fromthe front to the rear. Trailer weight distribution systems have beendesigned to address these problems by restoring even balance across allaxles of the vehicle and trailer. Their aim is to enable the vehicle tobe driven at the maximum legal speed while not compromising on safety.

A trailer weight distribution system is made up of the ball mount,spring/torsion bars (spring bars and torsion bars are both common andacceptable terminology for the same item and will be referred to asspring bars hereafter) and trailer frame mounted brackets. The trailerframe mounted brackets are installed directly to the trailer frame usingtools and once installed remain in place for the life of the trailerweight distribution system. The ball mount and spring bars, however,will likely be removed from the vehicle and trader when not in use.

The need to remove the ball mount and spring bars when the trailerweight distribution system is not in use can create issues for thesystem owners, especially when being used with a recreational vehicle,where oftentimes once the vehicle reaches campsite or home the ownerwill want to disconnect the towing vehicle from the trailer. Thiscreates the issue of where to store the ball mount and spring bars whilethe towing vehicle and trailer are disconnected. While at home, an ownermay store these components in their garage, but this type of storagefacility will be unavailable when not at home.

These systems are expensive and universal, therefore, the ball mountsand spring bars are susceptible to theft. Therefore, an owner will wantthese components properly secured to prevent damage as well.

Additionally, the ball mounts and spring bars are bulky and oftentimescoated in grease and oil. For this reason storage of these components inthe trunk of the towing vehicle or inside the recreational vehicle isnot ideal.

Finally, trailer weight distribution systems are available in severaldifferent designs including: round spring bars, trunnion spring barswhere the trunnion is attached to the bar, trunnion spring bars wherethe trunnion head is fixed to the ball mount.

SUMMARY

The aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that canovercome the detailed issues that can arise with the storage, securityand handling of ball mounts and spring bars for trailer weightdistribution systems,

One aim of the invention is to provide and apparatus that can be affixedto the tongue of the trailer, providing a storage location near thetrailer/tow vehicle hitch connection to minimize the travel handlingnecessary to transport the components when installing or stowing thetrailer weight distribution system.

Another aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus that can beaffixed to nearly any supporting structure on the towed vehicle that theowner of the vehicle wishes to affix the apparatus to.

Another aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus that securelyholds the components in place so that they are not damaged while instorage.

Another aim of the invention is to provide such an apparatus which doesnot obstruct the towed vehicle on which it is mounted so that thevehicle can be driven or otherwise operated while the device is sodeployed.

Another aim of the invention is to provide such an apparatus which doesnot obstruct the towed vehicle on which it is mounted and can be used tomount additional accessories when the hitch components are beingutilized during driving.

Another aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus that enables alocking device to be affixed to stowed assembly that will deter theft ofthe ball mount and spring bars.

The final aim is to provide an apparatus that is universal, such thatone design can be configured to accommodate storing and securingdifferent variations of the trailer weight distribution systems.

The trailer weight distribution system storage device of the presentinvention includes a base plate that is clamped to the frame of atrailer. Incorporated into the base plate is a vertical shank channel,two horizontal bolt holes and two downward sloping support members. Theshank channel is sized to allow a ball mount shank to be insertedvertically into the channel. The two bolt holes provide a location tomount a pivoting spring bar channel and the two downward sloping membersprovide a stop for the pivoting spring bar channel.

Included in the trailer weight distribution system storage device isalso a “U” shaped spring bar channel with two top cross braces forinserting the spring bars. On the bottom of the spring bar channel aretwo tabs with horizontal bolt holes. The tabs and holes in the springbar channel are connected to the horizontal holes in the base plate viabolts to create a pivoting joint so that the spring bar channel isgenerally in a horizontal position. The pivoting joint allows adjustmentof the spring bar channel to angle upward or downward to avoidinterference with any gas lines or battery or other attachments that maybe present at the tongue of the trailer.

In order to stow the trailer weight distribution system, the spring barsfirst are inserted into the spring bar channel with the ends thatinterface with the trailer frame mounted brackets furthest from thetrailer frame, and the ends which interface with the ball mount areclosest to the frame. Once the spring bars are installed, the ball mountis inserted into the shank channel on the base mounting bracket.

Once installed, the spring bars are restrained from removal from thestorage system by the spring bar channel on one side and the ball mounton the other and the cross braces and hitch ball on the top.

A locking device is then placed in a hole on shank of the ball mountbelow the shank channel in base mounting bracket. Once the lockingdevice has been placed on the shank of the ball mount the ball mount issecured from removal from the trailer weight distribution storage systemas well, ensuring that the both the ball mount and the spring bars areprotected from theft and damage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the particular embodiments of the presentinvention reference may be made to the following drawings exemplary ofthe invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view assembly drawing for a trailer weightdistribution system storage device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled trailer weight distributionsystem storage device clamped to the tongue of a trailer;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the spring bar holder;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the spring bar holder;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the spring bar holder;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the base plate;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the base plate;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the base plate;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view installation drawing for a trailer weightdistribution system that utilizes round spring bars;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view installation drawing for a trailer weightdistribution system that utilizes trunnion spring bars where thetrunnion head is attached to the bar;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view installation drawing for a trailer weightdistribution system that utilizes trunnion spring bars where thetrunnion head is fixed to the ball mount; and,

FIG. 12 is a perspective view drawing for an alternate embodiment forthe trailer weight distribution system storage device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention provides a trailer weightdistribution system storage device. As mentioned the trailer weightdistribution system storage device is for storing a ball mount 4 (ballmount depicted in the drawings is representative of the mount used foreach type of trailer weight distribution system) and various types ofspring bars; including round spring bars 1, trunnion spring bars wherethe trunnion head is attached to the bar 2, and trunnion spring barswhere the trunnion head is fixed to the ball mount 3. The othercomponents of a trailer weight distribution system including the towingvehicle hitch, trailer frame mounted brackets, and chains are notdepicted as they are not integral to the invention and are well known tothose skilled in the art.

With the exception of the nuts, washers, and bolts used for assemblingthe equipment, the materials of construction for the preferredembodiment of the invention is an iron alloy such as steel, which isthen powder coated due to cost considerations and ease of manufacture.However, the invention could constructed of any number of materials knowto those skilled in the art that have good strength properties and aresufficiently weather resistant.

Additionally, preferred embodiment of materials of construction for thenuts, washers, and bolts used on assembling the equipment is stainlesssteel due to its weather resistance properties. However, the nuts,washers, and bolts could constructed of any number of materials know tothose skilled in the art that have good strength properties and aresufficiently weather resistant.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5 and 9-11, one of the primary components of thetrailer weight distribution system storage device is the spring barholder 29. The spring bar holder 29 is made up of a spring bar channel5, tongue 7, cross braces 9 and two parallel tabs 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 the spring bar channel 5 is a rectangularchannel with no top. The rectangular channel 5 needs to be wide enoughand tall enough to provide a gap to allow the spring bars 1, 2, 3 to beinserted into the channel 5, but not so wide and tall to provide enoughof a gap that the spring bars 1, 2, 3 can be removed from the trailerweight distribution system storage device once the ball mount 4 has beeninserted into the shank channel 6. The length of the channel 5 can bevariable, however, the channel 5 should be long enough so that thecenter of mass of the spring bars does not extend past the end of thechannel 5.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, preceding the front end of the spring barchannel 5 is a flat rectangular tongue 7 on the base of the channel 5that protrudes from the front of the channel 5. The tongue 7 is the samewidth as the channel 5. The tongue 7 needs to be long enough to providea gap that will allow the ells on the round spring bars 1 and thetrunnion heads 47 on the trunnion spring bars where the trunnion head isattached to the bar 2 to fit between the ball mount 4 and the shankchannel 6 but not so long as to not provide enough of a gap that thespring bars can be removed from the trailer weight distribution systemstorage device once the ball mount 4 has been inserted into the shankchannel 6.

Referring to FIG. 3, across the top of the spring bar channel there is across brace 9, or any number of cross braces 9, that traverse the opentop of the spring bar channel 5. The width of the cross braces 9 canvary greatly, however, the smaller the width, less materials will berequired to fabricate the unit. The cross brace(s) 9 can be affixed tothe spring bar channel 5 by any means known to those skilled in the art,preferably welded. The function of the cross brace 9 is to prevent thespring bars 1, 2, 3 from being removed from the top of the trailerweight distribution system storage device once the ball mount 4 has beeninserted into the shank channel 6.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are two parallel tabs 10 affixed tothe bottom of the spring bar holder 29 at the front end of the tongue 7.Near the bottom edge of each of these tabs 10 are a hole 11, centered inthe tab 10 and traversing the tab 10. These tabs 10 will be used to forma hinged connection 12 between the spring bar holder 29 and base plate13. The tabs 10 and these holes 11 are to be aligned such that theycorrespond to the adjoin hinge holes 14 on the base plate 13 so that thetwo form a hinged connection 12 that moves freely and smoothly. Thesetabs 10 can be affixed to the tongue 7 by any means known to thoseskilled in the art, preferably welded.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is a height adjustment hole 15 drilledthrough the centerline of the base of the spring bar channel 5. Thishole 15 will be used to adjust and fix the angle of the hingedconnection 12 in a manner that will be described in greater detail laterin this specification. The hole 15 should be located along the length ofthe spring bar channel 5 such that when the spring bar holder 29 isinstalled on the base plate 13, and spring bar holder 29 and base plate13 are parallel to each other, that the center of the height adjustmenthole 15 aligns with the center of the height adjustment slot 16 in thebase plate 13 that will be discussed in greater detail further in thisspecification.

Referring to FIG. 3, there are two trunnion bar pin holes 17 drilledthrough the tongue. These holes 17 will be used insert retention pins 18in holes 49 in the trunnion spring bars where the trunnion head is fixedto the ball mount 4 in a manner which will be discussed in further laterin this specification. These holes 17 be used to prevent these types oftrunnion bars 3 from being removed from the trailer weight distributionsystem storage device once the ball mount 4 has been inserted into theshank channel 6.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 and 6-11, another one of the primary componentsof the trailer weight distribution system storage device is the baseplate 13. The base plate is made up of a flat plate 20, a two slopedsupport members 23, bar 31, and a vertical shank channel 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the in the preferred embodiment of thisinvention, the flat plate component 20 of the base plate 13 is a squareroughly twice the width of the spring bar holder 29 and has throughholes 22 drilled though the corners, however, the size of the flat plate20 and the need for through holes 22 can vary greatly depending on themethod used to affix the trailer weight distribution system storagedevice to the vehicle support member 39.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is a height adjustment slot 16 drilledthrough the centerline of the flat plate 20 of the base plate 13. Thisslot 16 will be used to adjust the angle of hinged connection 12 in amanner that will be described in greater detail later in thisspecification. The slot 16 should be located along the rear edge of theflat plate 24 such that when the spring bar holder 29 is installed onthe base plate 13, and spring bar holder 29 and base plate 13 areparallel to each other, that the center of the height adjustment slot 16aligns with the center of the height adjustment hole 15 in the springbar holder 29.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, affixed to the flat plate 20 member ofthe base plate 13 there are two support members which slope downward 23from the front edge of the base plate 25 to rear edge of the plate 24.The function of the downward sloping members 23 are to provide a maximumdownward angle of spring bar holder 29 thus preventing the spring bars1, 2, 3 from contacting the ground and providing support for theattached shank channel 6. The support members 23 run parallel to and areequally offset from the centerline of the height adjustment slot 16. Theoffset distance should be slightly greater than ½ the width of the ballmount shank 27. These support members 23 can be affixed to the flatplate 20 by any means known to those skilled in the art, preferablywelded.

Referring to FIG. 7, there are two hinge holes 14 drilled through thedownward sloping support members 23. These hinge holes 14 need to belocated high enough from the flat plate 20 so that the holes 11 in theparallel tabs 10 on the spring bar holder 29 can be aligned with theseholes 14 without the ends of the tabs 10 interfering with the flat plate20. These hinge holes 14 work in conjunction with the two parallel tabs10 affixed to the bottom of the spring bar holder 29 so that the twocomponents can form a hinged connection 12 that rotates freely andsmoothly.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, affixed to the flat plate 20 member ofthe base plate 13 and integrated into the two support members 23 whichslope downward is a shank channel 6. The shank channel 6 shall be usedto support the ball mount 4 when being stowed. The shank channel 6 is a“U” shaped support channel that is formed by extending the front side ofthe parallel support 23 members beyond the front edge of the flat baseplate 25 a distance slightly greater than the width of the ball mountshank 27. Affixed to the front edge of the parallel members 23 andconnecting the two parallel support members is a bar 31 the same heightas the support member members 23. The resulting structure is a squarevertical shank channel 6 slightly larger than the square ball mountshank 27. The shank channel 6 can be affixed to the flat plate 20 andsupport members 23 by any means known to those skilled in the art,preferably welded.

Referring to FIG. 7, there are two apparatus holes 32 drilled throughthe side of the shank channel 6. These apparatus holes 32 should becentered in the middle of the shank channel 6. These apparatus holes 32will allow another apparatus with corresponding holes, such as a bicyclerack, to be inserted in the place of the ball mount 4. Having theability to substitute various attachments for the ball mount providesadditional versatility to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the trailer weight distribution system storagedevice is assembled by first aligning the holes on the sloping membersof the base plate 14 and the holes on the tabs of the spring bar holder11 and inserting a joining device that allows creates a hingedconnection that rotates freely and smoothly. In the preferred embodimentthis is achieved using a bolt 33 and self-locking nut 34, but thisfunction could also be achieved through use of a pin device, rivetingdevice or any other means known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1, once the base plate 13 and spring bar holder 29have been hinged together, a long bolt 35 is inserted downward throughthe height adjustment hole 15 in the spring bar channel 5. A first nut36 is thread onto the bolt and tightened against the bottom of thespring bar channel 5. A second nut and washer 37 is then threaded ontothe bolt to a level above that of the base plate 13, and the bolt isthen inserted into the height adjustment slot 16 in the base plate 13. Athird nut and washer 38 is then threaded onto the bolt 35 and tightenedto the bottom of the base plate 13. If one wants to adjust the angle ofthe spring bar holder 29, they can simply loosen the two bottom nuts 37& 38, move the spring bar holder 29 up or down to the desired angle, andthen re-tighten the two nuts 37 & 38 against the base plate 13 to fixthe angle and prevent up/down movement.

Referring to FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment for affixing the trailerweight distribution system storage device to a support structure 39,such as the frame of a trailer, is through sandwich clamping. This ispreferred because it is minimally invasive to the support member andallows the spring bar channel to protrude from the vehicle supportmember in a variety of angles other than perpendicular. However, thisfunction could also be achieved through use of welding the trailerweight distribution system storage device to the support member, boltingthe device directly to the support member, integrating the base plateinto the construction of the support member, or any other means known tothose skilled in the art. These more invasive methods are not preferredbecause the welding or drilling may affect the vehicle warranty.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment the base plate 13 hasclamping holes drilled through the four corners 22. The size of theplate 13 is long enough that the four corners of the plate 13 extend toeither side of the support structure 39.

Referring to FIG. 2, in addition to the base plate 13, two correspondingell brackets 40 of the same length as the base plate 13, withcorresponding holes 41 drilled through them are used to clamp the baseplate 13 to the support structure 39. The bottom of the base plate 13 isaligned to the desired position the top of support structure 39 and theell brackets 40 are aligned so that the mounting holes 41 correspond tothose on the base plate 22. Long bolts 42 are inserted downward throughthe base plate 13 and through the ell bracket holes 41 where nuts 43 arethreaded onto them and tightened to hold the trailer weight distributionsystem storage device in position.

Referring to FIG. 9, a round spring bar 1 weight distribution system isproperly stowed in the trailer weight distribution system storage deviceby first inserting the spring bars 1 into the spring bar holder 29. Thespring bars 1 are oriented such that the spring bar ells 44 are restingon the tongue 7 of the spring bar holder 29 and the ells 44 arecrisscrossed. Once the spring bars have been properly inserted, anynecessary adjustments to the angle of the spring bar holder 29 are madeusing the method described above. After the spring bars 1 have beeninserted and the angle has been adjusted, the ball mount 4 is insertedinto the shank channel 6 with the hitch ball 45 facing the spring barells 44. The ball mount shank 27 must be inserted far enough into theshank channel 6 that the lock hole 46 on the shank can be accessed belowthe bottom of the shank channel 6. Additionally, the ball mount 4 needsto be oriented so that is restricts movement of the spring bar ells 44.Restricting the movement of these elk 44 is critical, so that the barscannot be oriented into a manner that would allow them to be removedfrom the device in an unintended manner. Once the ball mount 4 isproperly installed in the shank channel 6, a locking device (notpictured but known to those skilled in the art) is installed in theshank locking device hole 46.

Referring to FIG. 10, a weight distribution system trunnion spring barswhere the trunnion head is attached to the bar 2 is properly stowed inthe trailer weight distribution system storage device by first insertingthe spring bars 2 into the spring bar holder 29. The spring bars 2 areoriented such that the spring bar trunnions 47 are resting on the tongue7 of the spring bar holder 29 and the two protruding ends 48 on thetrunnions 47 are facing up and down. Once the spring bars 2 have beenproperly inserted, any necessary adjustments to the angle of the springbar channel are made using the method described above. After the springbars 2 have been inserted and the angle has been adjusted, the ballmount 4 is inserted into the shank channel 6 with the hitch ball 45facing the spring bars 2. The ball mount shank 27 must be inserted farenough into the shank channel 6 that the lock hole 46 can be accessedbelow the bottom of the shank channel 6. Once the ball mount 4 isproperly installed in the shank channel 6, a locking device (notpictured but known to those skilled in the art) is installed in theshank locking device hole 46.

Referring to FIG. 11, a trailer weight distribution system with trunnionspring bars where the trunnion head is fixed to the ball mount 4 isproperly stowed in the trailer weight distribution system storage deviceby first inserting the spring bars 3 into the spring bar holder 29. Thespring bars 3 are oriented such that the pin holes 49 in the spring barwhich are used to connect the spring bar to trunnions on the ball mountare aligned with the two trunnion bar pin holes 17 drilled through thetongue. Two pins 18 are then inserted through the aligned holes on thespring bar 49 and tongue 7. Once the spring bars 3 and pins 18 have beenproperly inserted, any necessary adjustments to the angle of the springbar holder 29 are made using the method described above. After thespring bars 3 have been inserted and the angle has been adjusted, theball mount 4 is inserted into the shank channel 6 with the hitch ball 45facing the spring bars 3. The ball mount shank 27 must be inserted farenough into the shank channel 6 that the lock hole 46 can be accessedbelow the bottom of the shank channel 6. Additionally, the ball mount 4needs to be oriented so that restricts access from removing the pins 18.Preventing the removal of these pins 18 is critical, as once these pins18 are removed, the spring bars 3 can easily be slid out spring barholder 29. Once the ball mount 4 is properly installed in the shankchannel 6, a locking device (not pictured but known to those skilled inthe art) is installed in the shank locking device hole 46.

Referring to FIG. 12, an alternate embodiment of the trailer weightdistribution system storage device is a one piece device made up of aspring bar channel 5 and cross braces 9 as described above, a tongue 7affixed to the spring bar channel 5 as described above, and a verticalshank channel 50 affixed to the tongue 7. The tongue has two trunnionbar pin holes 17 as described above drilled through it. The verticalshank channel 50 can be constructed of a flat plate, with the thicknessof the tongue 7 and having a square hole cut 51 out of it, thedimensions of the square hole being slightly larger than the dimensionsof the ball mount shank 27. A flat plate 20 with mounting holes 22 asdescribed above with can be affixed to the bottom of the tongue 7 springbar channel 5 by welding or other means known to those skilled in theart. The different spring bars 1, 2 & 3 for the different weightdistribution systems can be installed in the same manners as thepreferred embodiment, referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11. Thisembodiment can be affixed to a structural member 39 through the samemeans as the preferred embodiment, referring to FIG. 2. This embodimentis not as versatile as the preferred embodiment, but will be lessexpensive to construct.

1. A method of manufacturing a trailer system, comprising: forming aspring bar holder having a spring bar channel; forming the spring barchannel to be rectangular in shape; forming a base plate by combining aflat plate, a plurality of sloped support members, a bar, and a verticalshank channel, where (when the base plate is joined to the spring barholder) the shank channel is perpendicular to the spring bar channel;and forming the spring bar channel to be sufficiently wide enough andtall enough to provide a gap to allow a plurality of spring bars to beinserted thereto, but also forming the spring bar channel to besufficiently narrow to prevent removal of the plurality of spring barswhen a ball mount has been inserted into the shank channel.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: the spring bar channel having anopen top.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: the spring barchannel having cross-bracing on its top.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: forming the spring bar channel to be sufficientlylong so that a center of mass of the plurality of spring bars (wheninserted within the spring bar channel) does not extend past the end ofthe spring bar channel.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:forming the spring bar channel to be sufficiently long so that a centerof mass of the plurality of spring bars (when inserted within the springbar channel) extends past the end of the spring bar channel.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: affixing a tongue to a front endof the spring bar holder; affixing a plurality of parallel tabs to abottom of the spring bar holder at the front end of the tongue; andforming a tab hole at a bottom edge of each of the plurality of paralleltabs, where the tab holes are each centered within one of the tabs andalso traverses that specific tab;
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: utilizing the parallel tabs, forming a hinged connectionbetween the spring bar holder and a base plate; aligning the tabs andthe holes such that they correspond to a plurality of adjoining hingeholes on the base plate thereby forming a hinged connection that movesfreely and smoothly;
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:forming the flat plate component in a square roughly twice the width ofthe spring bar holder; forming the flat plate component with throughholes drilled though the corners; and drilling a height adjustment slotthrough a centerline of the flat plate such that the height adjustmentslot permits adjustment of an angle of a hinged connection.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: forming the height adjustmentslot along the rear edge of the flat plate such that when the spring barholder is installed on the base plate and the spring bar holder and baseplate are parallel to each other, the center of the height adjustmentslot aligns with the center of the height adjustment hole in the springbar holder.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: locating aplurality of hinge holes sufficiently distant from the flat plate suchthat the plurality of holes within the parallel tabs are aligned withthe plurality of hinge holes but where a plurality of ends of theplurality of tabs are not in contact with the flat plate.
 11. The methodof claim 9, further comprising: forming the shank channel in a U-shapedconfiguration, by extending the front sides of the plurality of parallelsupport members beyond the front edge of the flat base plate to have alength slightly greater than a width of a shank of the ball mount;affixing a bar to the front edge of the parallel members and connectingthe two parallel support members such that the bar has the same heightas the support member members, thereby resulting in a structure with asquare vertical shank channel being slightly larger than the square ballmount shank; and aligning the holes on the sloping members of the baseplate with the holes on the tabs of the spring bar holder and insertinga joining device that allows a hinged connection that rotates freely andsmoothly.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: directlyintegrating the base plate into the construction of a vehicle supportmember.
 13. A method of manufacturing a trailer system, comprising:forming a spring bar holder having a spring bar channel; forming thespring bar channel to be rectangular in shape; forming a base plate bycombining a flat plate, a plurality of support members, a bar, and avertical shank channel, where (when the base plate is joined to thespring bar holder) the shank channel is perpendicular to the spring barchannel; and forming the spring bar channel to be sufficiently wideenough and tall enough to provide a gap to allow a plurality of springbars to be inserted thereto, but also forming the spring bar channel tobe sufficiently narrow to prevent removal of the plurality of springbars when a ball mount has been inserted into the shank channel.
 14. Amethod of installing a trailer system, comprising: positioning a springbar holder comprising a spring bar channel, a tongue, a plurality oftabs each having a tab hole, to be attached to a base plate comprising aflat plate, a plurality of sloped support members (each sloped supportmember having hinge hole), a bar, and a vertical shank channel;attaching the spring bar holder to the base plate by aligning the tabsand the tab holes such that they correspond to the hinge holes therebyforming a hinged connection that moves freely and smoothly; aligning theplurality of hinge holes with the plurality of tab holes, but in doingso avoiding the ends of the parallel tabs interfering with the flatplate; and
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: aligning aheight adjustment hole located within the spring bar channel with aheight adjustment slot located within the base plate, such that when thespring bar holder is installed on the base plate and the spring barholder and the base plate are parallel to each other; inserting one of aplurality of long bolts downward through the base plate and through oneof the plurality of bracket holes; and threading nuts onto the longbolts and tightening the nuts so as to hold the device in a preferredposition.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: adjusting anangle of the spring bar holder by loosening a plurality of two bottomnuts; moving the spring bar holder up or down to a desired angle; andre-tightening the two bottom nuts against the base plate therebysecuring the angle and preventing up/down movement of the spring barholder.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: affixing thedevice to a support structure using sandwich clamping; wherein thesupport structure is a frame of a trailer.
 18. The method of claim 14,further comprising: affixing the device to a support structure usingsandwich clamping; wherein the support structure is a vehicle supportmember.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: during periodsof non-use, stowing the ball mount within the shank channel; andinserting another apparatus holes in the place of the ball mount. 20.The method of claim 19, wherein the another apparatus is a bicycle rack.21. The method of claim 16, further comprising: installing a lockingdevice within a shank locking device hole.
 22. The method of claim 17,further comprising: inserting a plurality of retention pins through aplurality of retention holes into trunnion spring bars holes where thetrunnion head is fixed to the ball mount, thereby preventing thetrunnion bars from being removed once the ball mount has been insertedinto the shank channel.
 23. The method of claim 18, the step of sandwichclamping further comprising: clamping the base plate to the supportstructure using two corresponding ell brackets of the same length as thebase plate having corresponding holes drilled through them; and aligninga bottom of the base plate to a desired position such that the top of asupport structure and a plurality of ell brackets are aligned so thatthe mounting holes correspond to those on the base plate.
 24. The methodof claim 18, the step of sandwich clamping further comprising: stowingthe device by inserting the spring bars into the spring bar holder andorienting the spring bars such that the spring bar ells are resting onthe tongue of the spring bar holder and the ells are crisscrossed; afterthe spring bars have been inserted and the angle of the spring barholder has been adjusted, inserting the ball mount into the shankchannel with the hitch ball facing the spring bar ells; inserting theball mount shank sufficiently far into the shank channel such that alock hole on the shank is accessible below the bottom of the shankchannel; and orienting the ball mount so as to restrict movement of thespring bar ells.
 25. The method of claim 15, further comprising:directly integrating the base plate into the construction of a vehiclesupport member.